
With the pandemic sweeping our nation and our world, we wanted to turn our attention to the thing that brings us all here to begin with, our community and our airplanes.
You’ll notice that very little of our issue covers the effects of the coronavirus on aviation, though that remains overwhelmingly the biggest story in the world and in our little aviation niche, too.
When we announced last month that we would be putting together special features dedicated in part to the strength of the people like you and me who fly small planes, the response was enormous. The idea, which resonated strongly with our readers, was not so much to document the effects of the novel coronavirus but to highlight the resilience of the people who fly small planes in the face of that virus. So we wanted to share with you the faces, the stories and the strength (and, okay, the planes) of our readers. We think that you will find them as moving and inspirational as we have. (SCROLL DOWN TO MEET OUR READERS AND READ THEIR STORIES)
Plane-Strong Pilot-Strong Sales To Benefit Sun ‘n Fun
Norma Jean (NJ) Hanson
Norma Jean Hanson has been a pilot since 1984. She currently flies the right seat in the TBM, handling the GTN750s, radios and checklists.
Her Plane: Daher TBM 850, co-owned with her husband
Ratings:Single Engine Land
Favorite Plane: TBM 850
Home Airport: KSFF
Favorite Destination: Caribbean destinations. Also enjoyed a trip to Europe last year.
Her Story: Normaâs husband taught her how to fly before they were married. The couple also owns a Cessna 185.
Flying In Pandemic Times: The pandemic has slowed down her flying, and she is âbeing more cautious around others.â